The Avocado Tree

For 30 years the 40 foot avocado tree in out back yard has never bloomed and has never produced fruit. The family that owned the house planted that tree from it's seed, 30 years ago. They owned the house right up to the time they sold it to us, almost 2 years ago .

In March, lo and behold... BLOOMS on the avocado tree. Blooms. For 30 years, nothing, now, loaded with flowers - mainly at the top, but still loaded.

And then along came the squirrels. Little by little I noticed not so many baby avocados. You see, squirrels love the pits. They bite the baby, eat the pit and then have the audacity to throw the baby avocado away. On the ground. So you can see the destruction they have done. I may have stood in the yard with a BB gun. The dogs may have stood at my side eagerly anticipating a free hot lunch, or at least a good chase. But... they got most of the avocados.

I still have 9 on the tree. Yes. 9 out of probably 150. And they are almost ready to pick.

I can taste the guacomole now.

On a side note. The owner of the house, Ike, passed away in March. Irony? Hmmm. I often tell people that the tree bloomed in honor of his passing.